Date: May 21, 2015
Contact: Missy Smothers, (907) 733-9119
The National Park Service is reminding procrastinators that the entry period for the 2015 Denali road lottery, which takes place (weather permitting) on September 17, 18, 20, and 21 (Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday), is open through Saturday, May 31, 2015.
Entries may be made online at www.recreation.gov until midnight May 31st (Alaska time). Entries can also be done by phone at (877) 444-6777 between the hours of 6:00 am – 8:00 pm (Alaska time) through May 31, 2015. Entries are not accepted by regular mail.
The non-refundable entry fee payment of $10 will be charged to a credit or debit card during the online or phone application process. Lottery winners will be charged the $25 Road Lottery Fee to the same card at the time of the drawing in June. This fee will not be refunded if the Park Road does not open on the day of the permit, due to weather or road conditions.
Everyone who submitted an entry will be notified by email regarding the status of their entry. Those who are drawn in the lottery will receive an email confirming the day of their permit, with additional information on how to obtain the road permit and how to prepare for their visit to the park.
All permit holders must pay the park entrance fee of $10 per person (for visitors age 16 or older) on the day of their permit unless they have a federal recreation pass such as the Denali Annual Pass, the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass (Annual, Senior, Access, or Volunteer), or the free U.S. Military annual pass. Learn more about park passes and fees.
Permits are transferable, i.e. the person awarded the permit can give it to someone else if they are not able to participate that weekend. The person transferring the permit must provide the original notification and a short note explaining the transfer to the new permit holder, who must bring that documentation to the park when they check in for their road permit.
The possibility of inclement weather in September is always a factor. Some years the road has only been partially open because of snow. Lottery participants are encouraged to visit the park website for updated road and weather information the day before or the morning of their permit.
The Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River campgrounds will be open through the weekend, weather permitting. Campsites are not included in the road permit, but can be reserved in advance via www.reservedenali.com or 800- 622-7275. Information on campgrounds and accommodations outside the park is available through the Denali Chamber of Commerce (907- 683-4636).
Learn more about the Denali Road Lottery
